270 Graduate From Avon High School

AVON — After four years, time finally ran out for Avon High School's class of 2014.

"Time can be measured so many ways," Co-Class President Jessica Kravet told about 270 graduates during commencement ceremonies Monday at the high school. "As high school kids, we measure time in days until Friday, periods, hours until the bell rings, days until graduation.

"All we want is to be done with school. But I'm sure today you're all looking back at the past four years wishing you could relive some of the experiences again."

All evening, student speakers alluded to a litany of experiences — both positive and negative — that defined the class's passage through high school.

Despite the challenges, valedictorian Devavrat Dabke said the class hasn't exactly "survived" its four years of high school, but "persevered."

"Persevering does not mean just doing your work or just doing whatever is expected of you by society," Dabke said. "In fact, I'm going to say the opposite. Persevering means doing what you want to do, even in the face of what everyone tells you."

Class speaker Eric Liu shared a personal example of such perseverance. Liu joined the school swimming team as a senior and, despite almost quitting on the third day, eventually came to enjoy the season. The lesson, he said, is to take risks.

"Learn to appreciate the new opportunities that are being offered to you. Don't shy away from them," Liu said. "Swimming was a risk I chose to take. A risk I could back down from at any point. Take as many of these as possible."

Principal Christopher Tranberg, who finished his first year as principal at Avon High, called the opportunity to speak at graduation "the most proud moment of my career."

"When you become a member of a new community, the way you are treated by others is evidence of what that community stands for," Tranberg said, commending Avon for welcoming him enthusiastically. "Thank you being an important first for me, a senior class I won't ever forget."